PRESS RELEASES & NEWSLETTERS,, 1959-1982.

PRESS RELEASES & NEWSLETTERS ranges from the beginning of HAW's senatorial career in 1959 to shortly before his resignation in 1982. The press releases include a wide range of topics such as proposed legislation, opening statements at Senate committee hearings, comments on presidential and congressional actions, statewide projects (such as the attempt to construct a VA hospital in Camden), announcements regarding funds appropriated to New Jersey, annual announcements of candidates accepted into the military academies, comments on the deaths of political figures, and the passage of HAW-sponsored legislation, to name a few. The series also includes the Report Home newsletters, primarily from 1959-1978, which were published from time to time and sent to HAW's constituents. They were published in the first person and discuss several current issues and HAW's reactions to them, legislative initiatives, and HAW's recent successes and accomplishments. Although the bulk of the series includes final press releases and Report Home newsletters, there are also working drafts and other preparatory and background materials in some files, such as a 1981 booklet titled "Stop the Fight! Black Lung Rally for Life." The series also includes public relations material other than press releases and newsletters which were retained in the same files by HAW's office; these materials include articles authored by HAW, statements and remarks, 1976 campaign press releases, and the like.

The majority of the press releases are incomplete for any given year; some years, such as 1963 and 1966-1977 have substantially complete runs, while others, such as 1962 and 1965, contain few press releases. The press releases cover many topics in any given year, however several themes and agendas dominate the material. From 1959 to 1967, the major themes were living and working conditions for migrant workers, the construction of a Woodrow Wilson memorial, student loan programs, housing for the elderly, the preservation of "open space" in NJ, mass transportation, housing and urban research, civil rights, flood control and flood insurance, pollution, the investigation of fraud against the elderly, and Medicare for the elderly. From 1968 to 1976, the themes focused on making college more accessible to lower-income students, mine safety legislation, pension legislation, securities markets reform, improved Social Security, combating alcoholism, organized crime, cancer, alcohol and diabetes research, an increase in the minimum wage, a "Bill of Rights" for the mentally handicapped, education for the handicapped, and the reduction of unemployment. From 1977-80, the themes included labor law reforms, an increase in the mandatory age of retirement, solar satellite research, the prevention of the forced confinement of the elderly into nursing homes, better transportation to NJ beaches such as Sandy Hook, the preservation of Fort Dix, the reduction of adolescent pregnancy, training for nurses, summer jobs for the youth, and funding for shelters for battered women. In 1981 and 1982, the releases emphasize the bills HAW cosponsored and the lawsuits he joined in response to Reagan administration actions.